Connectable panel toy with erasable surfaces

ABSTRACT

A collapsible construction panel set with erasable surfaces. Construction panels comprising connectors facilitate a connectable panel toy that allows the user to build a variety of objects including but not limited to representations of forts, tunnels, mazes, castles, houses, doll houses, animals, and vehicles. Panels can be marked on with crayons, felt markers, porous tip markers, pens, pencils, paint brushes, air brushes, light, or paint rollers. Depending on the marking employed, the panel surfaces allow for the marking to be partially or completely erased with wet or dry methods. Panels can be easily stacked for compact storage.

FIELD

The present invention relates to the field of toys, in particular, a collapsible construction panel art set with erasable surfaces.

BACKGROUND

Construction toys are designed and manufactured primarily to encourage and allow for creative play and/or simulated real-life activity. Art toys, by contrast, are generally static, such as easels or drawing boards and do not generally allow dynamic manipulation. While the majority of construction toys tend to be a miniature size, there is a separate category of toys that leverage the same concepts using larger structures.

Within the category of large play structures, two distinct classes emerge. One class is pre-constructed: often fixed shapes for the sole purpose of facilitating play in and around such structures. The second class generally allows the assembly of a large play structure by children using different materials and methods. This invention is in the second class.

In this second class, various types of construction methods and materials have been utilized to enable children to create either particular play structures, or free form configurations. In either case, such methods range from using similar, mass produced components that either interconnect via locking geometric shapes or fasten together via external means and materials. These fastening methods vary widely.

Despite attempts to provide for simulated real life activity or simply creative free play, the products that exist within this class of large play structures possess multiple shortcomings. One of the problems is storage. Large construction play sets, like those described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,104,864 to Liou, utilize large building block elements; however the storage is cumbersome. Another problem with play sets, such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,065,253 to Ojeda, is that playhouse kits with dry erase or erasable surfaces are limited to more static structures, and do not allow free forms or a variety of configurations.

In view of the above shortcomings, the paneled construction set according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art. The present invention provides a superior methodology primarily developed for the enjoyment and utilization of boundless play structure configurations, free form artistic expression, and fast, compact storage.

SUMMARY

The following objectives outline the broad features of the present invention in order that the detailed descriptions can be better comprehended. There are more detailed descriptions hereinafter. In this respect, it should be understood that the descriptions and illustrations by no means bound the usefulness or applications fully extendable with the present invention. The invention is capable of other embodiments and can be utilized in numerous different ways.

A primary object of the present invention is to provide for a design and system by which shortcomings in the prior art can be overcome.

An object of the present invention is to provide for a free form children's construction set with easy disassembly and compact storage.

Another object of the present invention to provide for a free form children's construction set with erasable surfaces.

Yet another object of the present invention is a configurable building toy comprising a panel configured as a predetermined shape, the panel having a first layer, a second layer, and a third layer, the first layer and the third layer being comprised of a substantially solid low surface energy polymer, and the second layer being comprised of a foamed polymer; and, at least one fastener coupled to a perimeter portion of the panel, the at least one fastener having mating components for selective connection to a second fastener.

A further object of the present invention is a configurable building set comprising a plurality of panels configured as predetermined shapes, the plurality of panels having at least a first layer, a second layer, and a third layer, the first layer and the third layer being comprised of a substantially solid low surface energy polymer, and the second layer being comprised of a foamed polymer; and, a plurality of fasteners coupled to a perimeter portion of the plurality of panels, the plurality of fasteners having mating components for selective connection to a second fastener.

A further yet object of the present invention is a configurable art set comprising a plurality of panels configured as predetermined shapes, the plurality of panels having at least one surface layer, the at least one surface layer being comprised of a substantially solid low surface energy polymer; a plurality of fasteners coupled to a perimeter portion of the plurality of panels, the plurality of fasteners having mating components for selective connection to a second fastener; and, at least one marking implement, the at least one marking implement being of a chemical composition such that use of the at least one marking implement on the at least one surface layer is erasable.

Further embodiments, features, and advantages of the invention, as well as the structure and operation of the various embodiments of the invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Referring to the figures, wherein like numerals represent like parts throughout the several views:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of construction panels.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of construction panels connected by fasteners.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of selectively engaged panel fasteners.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of construction panels.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a set of construction panels connected by fasteners.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a set of construction panels connected by fasteners.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an embodiment of construction panels affixed to one another to create a panel assembly that is longer than a single panel.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a set of construction panels connected by fasteners to bridge a gap longer than a single panel's length.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a set of construction panels connected by fasteners.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the invention will be described in conjunction with these embodiments, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the invention to these embodiments. On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents, which can be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Furthermore, in the following description of various embodiments of the present invention, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of planar construction panel set 100. Planar construction panels 102 facilitate a connectable panel toy that allows the user to build a variety of objects including but not limited to representations of forts, tunnels, mazes, castles, houses, doll houses, animals, and vehicles. Planar construction panels 102 can include varying shapes such as rounded squares 102 a and rounded triangles 102 b. The panel can include voids that can act as port holes, windows, stencils, or space for another panel. In a preferred embodiment, the panels are semi-rigid. In other embodiments, the panels are rigid. In a preferred embodiment, each panel 102 has a plurality of affixed fasteners 104 which allow the panels 102 to be selectively connected or permanently connected to another panel 102, a plurality of panels, or other objects. In an embodiment, fasteners 104 have mating fasteners 104 a and 104 b. Fasteners 104 can be hook 104 a and loop 104 b and can be wrapped around the edges of each panel 102 to enable a panel edge to be connected to another panel edge or a plurality of panel edges; for example, a Velcro-type material or fastening component. In a preferred embodiment, the hook fasteners 104 a and loop fasteners 104 b have distinctively different coloration, which can include clear, to facilitate easier visual mating. In another embodiment, fasteners 104 are of the self-mating type. The self-mating types of fasteners 104 can include but are not limited to the hook and loop combined type or the mushroom stem type. The self-mating fasteners can be clear or of different colors to enhance aesthetics. In yet another embodiment, the fasteners 104 are magnets or incorporate magnetic elements. In a preferred embodiment, the fasteners 104 are attached to the panels 102 with adhesive. In other embodiments, the fasteners are incorporated by way of staking, sewing, riveting, clinching, stapling, welding, or insert molding. In yet a further embodiment, the hook fasteners 104 a can be integrally molded into the panels. In a preferred embodiment, the fasteners 104 are in a pattern to enable the panels to be flipped or rotated to facilitate a hook-to-loop connection.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of planar construction panels 102 connected by fasteners 104. Fasteners 104 a and 104 b facilitate connections 300 of multiple panels 102 a, 102 b, and 102 c in order to build larger, more complex structures such as those described in further figures. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of selectively engaged panel fasteners 104. Mating fasteners 104 a and 104 b can have multiple connection surfaces, and be wrapped around panel 102, as described above, in order to facilitate greater surface area for a wide array of connection options with multiple panels 102 and panel configurations.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of construction panels 102, wherein one or more panels can incorporate a curve 102 d to be self-standing. In yet another embodiment, one or more panels can incorporate an angle 102 e to be self-standing.

In a preferred embodiment, panels 102 are primarily comprised of three layers of polymer with the first layer being solid polymer and the second layer being foamed polymer and the third layer being solid polymer. In a preferred embodiment, the solid layers are composed of a low surface energy polymer such as polypropylene. Low surface energy can be defined as the tendency of a surface to repel, rather than attract, an adhesive. Low surface energy prevents an adhesive from sufficiently wetting a surface. The low surface energy property can provide the erasable characteristic of the present invention. This three layer polymer preferred embodiment has desired levels of elasticity, rigidity, weight, material consumption, cost, primary surface smoothness, and aesthetics. In other embodiments, the panels are primarily composed of a solid low surface energy polymer. In a further embodiment, panels 102 are primarily composed of a structural foam polymer, or a blow molded polymer. In a further yet embodiment, panels 102 can be composed of two layers of solid low surface energy polymer. In yet another embodiment, panels 102 can be primarily composed of cardboard with a low surface energy coating or covered with a low surface energy film.

Panels 102 can be of a variety of colors including white. Furthermore, panels 102 can be opaque or translucent. In the multilayer polymer embodiments, each layer can be a different color. A phosphorescent coating or film can be applied to the panel 102 to provide a glow-in-the-dark property. In another embodiment, phosphorescent additives can be incorporated into the panels' 102 composition for a glow-in-the-dark property. Further yet, the surface of panels 102 can be made reflective.

Panels 102 can be marked on with crayons, felt markers, porous tip markers, pens, pencils, paint brushes, air brushes, light, or paint rollers. Also, depending on the marking employed, panel surfaces allow for the marking to be partially or completely erased with wet or dry methods. Stickers of types such as adhesive or static can be applied to a panel or panels 102 to further customize the user's creation. Letters, numbers, patterns, characters, images, or symbols can be printed on, painted on, etched into, engraved into, laser marked into, molded into, embossed into, or stamped into a panel or panels 102.

Connection protrusions or connection apertures can be molded or formed into panels 102 to enable the panel to be connected to other objects, such as LEGO or other building block objects. These connection apertures and connection protrusions can function as mechanical mating elements to connect panels 102 to each other, or as mechanical mating elements to connect panel 102 to other objects. A connection “slot” can be incorporated into the structure of panel 102 to facilitate fastening of one panel to another.

Panels 102 can be of a variety of sizes, and in an embodiment can range from approximately 5″ to 30″ across, and can be configured as a small table-top construction set or a larger “life-sized” play set. A certain size panel can be fastened to another size panel. Panels 102 can be easily stacked for storage. Panels can also be coupled together to create larger spans and build larger structures, as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8. Construction example 700 illustrates how panels 102 can be selectively coupled to create a span. In an embodiment, fasteners 104 a and 104 b are positioned in a predetermined location on the perimeter of panel 102 such that the fasteners mate at a central portion and a terminal portion of panel 102. Construction example 800 illustrates how panels 102 can be selectively coupled to create a span adding to construction example 700.

Sets of panels 102 can be combined to create larger or more complex structures, and illustrated in FIGS. 5, 6 and 9 using the methods described herein. Construction example 500 illustrates a creative free-play structure that can be constructed by the connection of multiple panels 102; where the multiple panels 102 are of different shapes and sizes. Construction example 600 illustrates a representation of a race car that can be formed as a predetermined panel set, or can be represented by the user marking on a surface of the panel 102 to represent race car features. Construction example 900 illustrates a representation of a playhouse that can be formed as a predetermined panel set, or can be represented by the user marking on a surface of the panel 102 to represent playhouse features.

Although the present invention has been described with several embodiments, numerous changes, substitutions, variations, alterations, and modifications can be suggested to one skilled in the art, and it is intended that the invention encompass all such changes, substitutions, variations, alterations, and modifications as fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A configurable building toy comprising: a panel configured as a predetermined shape, the panel having a first layer, a second layer, and a third layer, the first layer and the third layer being comprised of a substantially solid low surface energy polymer, and the second layer being comprised of a foamed polymer; and, at least one fastener coupled to a perimeter portion of the panel, the at least one fastener having mating components for selective connection to a second fastener.
 2. The configurable building toy of claim 1 wherein the at least one fastener is selected from the group consisting of hook and loop fasteners, magnetic fasteners, and mechanically mating fasteners.
 3. The configurable building toy of claim 1 wherein at least one layer of the panel further comprises a phosphorescent compound.
 4. The configurable building toy of claim 1 at least one layer of the panel further comprises a reflective film.
 5. The configurable building toy of claim 1 wherein at least one connection aperture is formed into the panel.
 6. The configurable building toy of claim 1 wherein the predetermined shape is selected from the group consisting of rounded rectangle, rounded triangle, rounded rhombus, rounded trapezoid, rounded pentagon, rounded hexagon, cylindrical, semi-cylindrical, circular, semi-circular, and irregular.
 7. A configurable building set comprising: a plurality of panels configured as predetermined shapes, the plurality of panels having at least a first layer, a second layer, and a third layer, the first layer and the third layer being comprised of a substantially solid low surface energy polymer, and the second layer being comprised of a foamed polymer; and, a plurality of fasteners coupled to a perimeter portion of the plurality of panels, the plurality of fasteners having mating components for selective connection to a second fastener.
 8. The configurable building set of claim 7 wherein the plurality of fasteners are selected from the group consisting of hook and loop fasteners, magnetic fasteners, and mechanically mating fasteners.
 9. The configurable building set of claim 7 wherein the predetermined shapes are selected from the group consisting of rounded rectangle, rounded triangle, rounded rhombus, rounded trapezoid, rounded pentagon, rounded hexagon, cylindrical, semi-cylindrical, circular, semi-circular, and irregular.
 10. The configurable building set of claim 7 wherein the plurality of panels further comprise at least one aperture formed into the plurality of panels.
 11. The configurable building set of claim 7 wherein at least one layer of the plurality of panels further comprises a phosphorescent compound.
 12. The configurable building set of claim 7 wherein at least one layer of the plurality of panels further comprises a reflective film.
 13. The configurable building set of claim 10 wherein at least one protrusion is configured in correspondence with the at least one aperture.
 14. A configurable art set comprising: a plurality of panels configured as predetermined shapes, the plurality of panels having at least one surface layer, the at least one surface layer being comprised of a substantially solid low surface energy polymer; a plurality of fasteners coupled to a perimeter portion of the plurality of panels, the plurality of fasteners having mating components for selective connection to a second fastener; and, at least one marking implement, the at least one marking implement being of a chemical composition such that use of the at least one marking implement on the at least one surface layer is erasable.
 15. The configurable art set of 14 wherein the predetermined shapes are selected from the group consisting of rounded rectangle, rounded triangle, rounded rhombus, rounded trapezoid, rounded pentagon, rounded hexagon, cylindrical, semi-cylindrical, circular, semi-circular, and irregular.
 16. The configurable art set of claim 14 wherein the plurality of fasteners are selected from the group consisting of hook and loop fasteners, magnetic fasteners, and mechanically mating fasteners.
 17. The configurable art set of claim 14 wherein the plurality of panels are constructed from the group consisting of solid polymer, two layers of polymer, three layers of polymer, multiple layers of polymer, and coated cardboard.
 18. The configurable art set of claim 14 wherein the plurality of panels further comprises a plurality of connection apertures.
 19. The configurable art set of claim 14 wherein the plurality of panels further comprises a phosphorescent compound.
 20. The configurable art set of claim 14 wherein the plurality of panels further comprises a reflective film. 